Reader Reviews of The Never Hour on Goodreads:
“This book is a riot and delight to the senses… The descriptions and flow almost give an experienced tactile feel and smell to the world of Neveraj as you read. The way the story draws you in and immerses you can make you easily lose hours. This was an all nighter read as I was enjoying myself so much. Overall this book was amusing, entertaining, and filled with adventure to keep you on your toes. I don’t usually reread books but this one is one that I will.”
- Nicole Graythorne
“This was such a wonderful story and I absolutely love this series! I was hooked (no pun intended) immediately into the story of Piper and Wyshawn and I really enjoyed the chemistry and the banter they had together. The spice was excellent too. It was really interesting to see a new take on a classic story where things were updated and tweaked but the original elements were still recognizable as well. I also really loved the side characters, especially Tank.”
- Claire
“I absolutely loved this! My heart and mind followed the fear of the future and the deep desire also. So well written. I could easily read this again and again.”
- Kierstyn
“Wow! This book was definitely quite a ride! The author is so good with painting scene after scene you can’t help imagining how things look, taste or sound. The story has a fast pace and makes you want to keep moving to find what happens next because the imagination the author has is an endless abyss and you just can’t tell what is going to happen next! This author is a creative genius to have written this book full of energetic fun, banter, and twists! I just can’t get over the imagination that was poured into this story! It was amazing! Please read it and see for yourself!”
- Terry Juell
“I absolutely loved the pure creativity and imagination that went into these characters, they were incredible. There are a few of the things we come to rely on with Beauty and the Beast like the roses, and the castle/manor that is cursed along with its prisoners. There are still wolves and last but certainly not least the all important… Brody is our Belle full of adventure and looking for anything that will stir his imagination. Together they really have there work cut out for them. This really is magical tale.”
- Amy Reierson
“While “The Phantom Ink” is dark and mysterious and filled with twists and turns, the humor and heart-tugging moments within provide much needed respite and depth to this gender-swapped take on the classic Beauty and the Beast retelling. The dark gothic mansion is a perfect location, with secret places, enchanted objects, even tunnels below! Walking through the halls and rooms was easy to imagine in my head. The surrounding city, too. Mist, fog, a sense of foreboding, it was all woven through each page. And there are moments of laugh out loud humor that provide much needed levity. Tropes include grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, found family, LGBTQ representation, slow burn, golden retriever MMC, and a very unique magic system.”
- Jennifer
“This story was so well written! I absolutely loved the reverse retelling. I could write about that in great lengths Brody is the perfect book boyfriend and I have never read a book with such epic banter between the two MCs it was hilarious how quick and witty his comebacks are! I loved the plot and the world building!!! It was full of rich and luscious details which I love when books do that! I really cannot wait to read more from this series! 10000% recommend this story I devoured in a day!”
- Bookish Lady Night
❤️ Reverse Beauty and the Beast retelling
❤️ Cursed by sister
❤️ Found family
❤️ Loss and Grief
❤️ Fairies
❤️ Witch FMC
❤️ Epic witty banter
❤️ Slow burn
❤️ I choose you
❤️ Your thorns don’t scare me they are apart of you
❤️ Single dad
❤️ Jealous obsessed crazy girl
❤️ magical sickness
❤️ Sacrifice
“I have read a couple of retellings but this one was different in a great way and I loved how Cassie kept the magic and the red roses in there but with a twist to the curse. The story is so well written and enjoyable you don’t want to put it down. Mora’s personality is so complex. Her guilt for what happened and how she cares about her three friends who were affected by the curse. I loved the magic book and the phantom pen. I loved Brody so much. I recommend this book it’s a really nice retelling that is worth reading”
- Sam.the.reader
“This was another fun and quick fantasy read from Swindon. The magic system that she builds around the original Beauty and Beast tale is definitely unique and makes for a very entertaining retelling. I love the characters of Mora and Brody. Brody is just delightful in how he refuses to let Mora’s defensiveness stand in the way of his seeing the true nature of who she is. There were so many times I laughed out loud at his dialogue and his flirting is on point! It was also beautiful to watch how he comes to cherish Mora’s heart and never judges her for the darker parts of her past. Mora is the flawed heroine that you love to root for and her sense of loyalty to her chosen family is inspiring. Even with the mistakes that she has made in her past, Mora has found a way to still retain a hope for a better future. She may be prickly on the outside, literally, but inside she has a passion that cannot be easily snuffed out. If you love a good fantasy retelling with a healthy does of romance, a chance at redemption and a bit of spice, then definitely give Swindon’s The Phantom Ink a read!”
- Kristin O’Donoghue
“This book is a beautiful alternate telling of a loved story, Beauty and the Beast. The characters are introduced in detail, allowing me to build them in my mind. The past and current lives of each main character add so much depth to their lives. The building relationship between Brody and Mora kept me wanting to turn the pages for more. The sarcasm and banter between them helps to slowly reveal the relationship.”
- Rebecca Kelly
“Cassie hit it out of the park, and I can’t wait to read other books in this series.
This story is told from dual points of view, our MMC, merman Axton. He is swoon worthy! Torn between his need to protect his people and his attachment to a woman he can’t see, he has to lose himself in order to find his way. Eribelle, our FMC, is fierce and talented and wants to be seen for more than her looks. With secrets from Below and Above, our two characters have to learn to trust in what they can’t see. I love that this was set as an urban fantasy. The author did a really good job at the world building without it being overwhelming.”
- Skye Nicole
“I thought this was a very interesting story. I like that the gender roles were reversed, and I found Eribelle’s personality very entertaining. Romance, adventure, family secrets, and deception are just a few of the themes you’ll come across in this book. It’s a well written, enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.”
- Sarah Rizk
“MG I loved this book. I started it yesterday during lunch at work and finished it when I came back home. It was such a fun read! Love the gender reversal. Both characters were amazing! The best Little Mermaid retelling so far! I just melted when Axton called Eribelle , ERi or Angelfish so adorable. I a not fan of slow burn but in this case it made perfect sense. It just worked. I love how Cassie in some parts stayed true to original story with some phrases and the ‘kiss the girl’ scene. BTW can we get more Chaos! I loved her and I want to know her origin.”
-Monica Hein
“I absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop thinking about it when I put it down. It follows Eribelle (human) and Axton (merman) along as they navigate a world where humans and mermaids have a long standing uneasiness/hatred with each other. It’s not until Eribelle tries to run away from her human life as she knows it, does her ship crash and she comes in contact with Axton. He and Eribelle must learn to help each other, even if they are enemies, and figure out how to save their loved ones Above and Below. Oh and for anyone who wanted to know for…. Science they do kinda go over how mermaids do the do 🧜🏻♀️🧜🏻♂️”
- Gretch
“This retelling of mermaids and humans was more than I expected it to be and it hooked me in. I actually would sneak short reads throughout my work day which I usually try not to do but I just had to finish this adventure between Eribelle and Axton. I loved the switching of Axton almost being the damsel in distress and Eribelle had to help him through his debt towards the Sea Witch. They had to learn to work together as a team and trust each other. Also I loved Chaos the dog she was just so much fun and helped these two while stranded on the island. I usually read a lot of smut with spicy scenes but this story had enough banter and slow burn romance that I did not even care. I’m so happy I signed up to read this retelling and cannot wait to read more of Cassie’s stories to see what adventure they take me on💜💙”
- Haley Babin
“The Little Mermaid is easily my favorite princess story/movie so I had high expectations and they were absolutely met. Axton and Eribella love to hate each other in a way that makes us enemies to lovers girlies giggle and kick our feet. The subtle world building while introducing characters and their complex relationships with each other (I’m looking at you Finley) had me guessing and wondering what in the world was going to happen next. The callbacks to the original story were subtle enough that it didn’t take away from the new story being told while giving it a perfect nostalgic vibe. LOVE.”
- Sav